Passengers take legal action after falling ill on Independence of the Seas

A GROUP of passengers have launched a £500,000 compensation bid claiming a cruise firm failed to prevent them from falling ill on voyages from Southampton.

The 25 holidaymakers have joined forces to issue the action against Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises.

They had all set sail from the city on a number of different cruises on the giant Independence Of The Seas ship between December 10, 2010 and June 25, 2011.

Lawyers representing the group say that although not all of the claimants had fallen ill, others suffered a “loss of enjoyment” due to sickness onboard the vessel.

A spokesman for Royal Caribbean International said that the company welcomed three million passengers on-board every year and worked hard to maintain “extremely high” health standards for guests and cruises.

She added: “Of the 25 guests that you refer to, not all of these guests experienced illness.

“The 25 guests were across five different sailings within a seven month period from December 2010 - June 2011.

“In this time period, the ship, Independence of the Seas, sailed on 15 cruises, welcoming over 67,000 guests.

“Those affected by the short-lived illness responded well to over-the-counter medication which was administered on-board the ship and therefore were not referred for additional treatment by the on-board medical teams.

“Regarding the instances referred to, our crew conducted extensive cleaning on-board the ship and guests were kept up to date on these additional measures prior to embarkation and throughout their cruise.

“Guests were also provided with advice and information on preventative steps and good hygiene, including hand washing and making use of hand sanitizers that we provided throughout the ship.

A group of passengers has launched a claim for £500,000 worth of compensation against a cruise line they say failed to stop them becoming ill on their holidays.

Their complaints include flies in their bathrooms, a waiter blowing their nose on a napkin that was then placed on a table and an outbreak of illness so severe there were often ambulances waiting for passengers in the ports they visited.

Eileen Jones, from Llanelli, is one of 25 passengers who have issued the group action against Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. The passengers travelled from Southampton on a number of different cruises on the Independence Of The Seas ship between December 10, 2010 and June 25, 2011.

According to the claim, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises brochures promised passengers could “look forward to an experience unlike any other” on “an amazing holiday”.

They were assured that “Royal Caribbean are committed to excellence”.

However, the claim details how, rather than a dream holiday, passengers became ill with gastro-enteritis on a ship where hygiene rules were not followed. It said despite multiple cases of illness on previous cruises, the cruise line failed to effectively remedy the situation by adopting adequate cleaning and sanitation, or greater control in the preparation of food and drink.

The passengers complain of inadequately cleaned cabins - with fruit under the bed, dusty shelves and sewer flies in the bathroom cabinet.

Those who became ill complained there were not enough medical staff to help those in isolation, meaning long waits for visits, and medical staff failed to follow hygiene procedure such as washing hands and wearing gloves.

The claim says restaurants on the ship failed to provide clean cutlery and glasses and served food that was undercooked, not properly refrigerated or that had been reheated and re-served.

A spokeswoman for Royal Caribbean said the cruise line welcomes more than three million guests on-board each year and works hard to ensure they all have an enjoyable holiday.

She said: “Of the 25 guests that you refer to, not all of these guests experienced illness. The 25 guests were across five different sailings within a seven-month period from December 2010 - June 2011. In this time period, the ship, Independence of the Seas, sailed on 15 cruises, welcoming over 67,000 guests.

“Those affected by the short-lived illness responded well to over-the-counter medication which was administered on-board the ship and therefore were not referred for additional treatment by the on-board medical teams.

“Regarding the instances referred to, our crew conducted extensive cleaning on-board the ship and guests were kept up to date on these additional measures prior to embarkation and throughout their cruise.

“Guests were also provided with advice and information on preventative steps and good hygiene, including hand washing and making use of hand sanitisers that we provided throughout the ship.

yes i have wasted my time re reading stuff i am gonna sue the echo for half a mil

[quote][p][bold]mmmmm[/bold] wrote:
Who proof reads these Echo articles? Far too much repetition![/p][/quote]yes i have wasted my time re reading stuff i am gonna sue the echo for half a milmansak_hunt

Not all the 25 claimants had fallen ill - given the number of people carried on the ship during 7 months that would seem a very small proportion if the ship did have hygiene failings - just as likely to be down to the personal hygiene of those affected.

Not all the 25 claimants had fallen ill - given the number of people carried on the ship during 7 months that would seem a very small proportion if the ship did have hygiene failings - just as likely to be down to the personal hygiene of those affected.Huffter

Having sailed on Independence twice during that period, I cannot understand these peoples complaints. RCI were totally exemplary in their care to enforce strict hygiene rules. Our embarkation both times was delayed while the ships crew worked hard to cleanse the whole vessel, and during the cruise one could not enter a bar or eatery without encountering a member of crew with hygiene gel dispensers. The ship was extremely well kept during the whole cruise and between both sailings Royal Caribbean had fitted speakers in all the public bathrooms that pretty much shouted 'remember to wash your hands' every time the door swung through the sensor. What I DID see that disturbed me was the general lack of hygiene that the passengers exhibited. The number of (mainly elderly) passengers that I saw walk straight from a cubicle or from the urinal out of the door made me angry considering the pervasive presence of reminders. It got to me enough to remark to one man who swiftly told me to mind my own business. I'd fancy to bet how many of the complainers were like this...

Having sailed on Independence twice during that period, I cannot understand these peoples complaints. RCI were totally exemplary in their care to enforce strict hygiene rules. Our embarkation both times was delayed while the ships crew worked hard to cleanse the whole vessel, and during the cruise one could not enter a bar or eatery without encountering a member of crew with hygiene gel dispensers. The ship was extremely well kept during the whole cruise and between both sailings Royal Caribbean had fitted speakers in all the public bathrooms that pretty much shouted 'remember to wash your hands' every time the door swung through the sensor. What I DID see that disturbed me was the general lack of hygiene that the passengers exhibited. The number of (mainly elderly) passengers that I saw walk straight from a cubicle or from the urinal out of the door made me angry considering the pervasive presence of reminders. It got to me enough to remark to one man who swiftly told me to mind my own business. I'd fancy to bet how many of the complainers were like this...wjm989

rightway wrote:
What do people expect when most of the employees have been taken from what would be described by many in the west as third world slums, where hygiene is not high on the list of priorities.

Crew members of Daily Echo staff? Lol

[quote][p][bold]rightway[/bold] wrote:
What do people expect when most of the employees have been taken from what would be described by many in the west as third world slums, where hygiene is not high on the list of priorities.[/p][/quote]Crew members of Daily Echo staff? Lolblackmasquerade

It has nothing to do with the cruise boat or the crew it is the passengers. It only takes one passenger to be unwell then it can spread. wjm, agree with what you say. There are so many passengers on these boats these days it can spread like wild fire if one person goes down sick. And then everybody jumps on the bandwagon for compensation.

It has nothing to do with the cruise boat or the crew it is the passengers. It only takes one passenger to be unwell then it can spread. wjm, agree with what you say. There are so many passengers on these boats these days it can spread like wild fire if one person goes down sick. And then everybody jumps on the bandwagon for compensation.espanuel

wjm989 wrote:
Having sailed on Independence twice during that period, I cannot understand these peoples complaints. RCI were totally exemplary in their care to enforce strict hygiene rules. Our embarkation both times was delayed while the ships crew worked hard to cleanse the whole vessel, and during the cruise one could not enter a bar or eatery without encountering a member of crew with hygiene gel dispensers. The ship was extremely well kept during the whole cruise and between both sailings Royal Caribbean had fitted speakers in all the public bathrooms that pretty much shouted 'remember to wash your hands' every time the door swung through the sensor. What I DID see that disturbed me was the general lack of hygiene that the passengers exhibited. The number of (mainly elderly) passengers that I saw walk straight from a cubicle or from the urinal out of the door made me angry considering the pervasive presence of reminders. It got to me enough to remark to one man who swiftly told me to mind my own business. I'd fancy to bet how many of the complainers were like this...

Hy,

I worked there and thank you for the comment, i was an emplyee from that 1500, You are totally right.We worked really hard to can keep the guest away from that but unfortunartley we were in need of some help from them at least to listen our advices regarding hygiene. One of the problem was that the guest embark on the ship already sick . No any report that they are sick Our ship sanitation for next cruise was in vain. I wonder why crew was not sick? i was room attendant and in direct contact with sick guests, i never been sick. Soo who want to have a dream vacation need to protect themselves also. CREW IS DOING A GREAT JOB AND HARD. Thank You again

[quote][p][bold]wjm989[/bold] wrote:
Having sailed on Independence twice during that period, I cannot understand these peoples complaints. RCI were totally exemplary in their care to enforce strict hygiene rules. Our embarkation both times was delayed while the ships crew worked hard to cleanse the whole vessel, and during the cruise one could not enter a bar or eatery without encountering a member of crew with hygiene gel dispensers. The ship was extremely well kept during the whole cruise and between both sailings Royal Caribbean had fitted speakers in all the public bathrooms that pretty much shouted 'remember to wash your hands' every time the door swung through the sensor. What I DID see that disturbed me was the general lack of hygiene that the passengers exhibited. The number of (mainly elderly) passengers that I saw walk straight from a cubicle or from the urinal out of the door made me angry considering the pervasive presence of reminders. It got to me enough to remark to one man who swiftly told me to mind my own business. I'd fancy to bet how many of the complainers were like this...[/p][/quote]Hy,
I worked there and thank you for the comment, i was an emplyee from that 1500, You are totally right.We worked really hard to can keep the guest away from that but unfortunartley we were in need of some help from them at least to listen our advices regarding hygiene. One of the problem was that the guest embark on the ship already sick . No any report that they are sick Our ship sanitation for next cruise was in vain. I wonder why crew was not sick? i was room attendant and in direct contact with sick guests, i never been sick. Soo who want to have a dream vacation need to protect themselves also. CREW IS DOING A GREAT JOB AND HARD. Thank You againsharedany

rightway wrote:
What do people expect when most of the employees have been taken from what would be described by many in the west as third world slums, where hygiene is not high on the list of priorities.

Hey i can see rasism here, is not about emplyee is about European hygiene. Not the emplyee were sick . I woked direct with sick guests and i never made that GI. So think before write something smart like this.For your information the guest embark already sick from the busses that after we sanitize all ship.

[quote][p][bold]rightway[/bold] wrote:
What do people expect when most of the employees have been taken from what would be described by many in the west as third world slums, where hygiene is not high on the list of priorities.[/p][/quote]Hey i can see rasism here, is not about emplyee is about European hygiene. Not the emplyee were sick . I woked direct with sick guests and i never made that GI. So think before write something smart like this.For your information the guest embark already sick from the busses that after we sanitize all ship.sharedany